Page 83 of Holiday Hostilities

He grins, looking impossibly handsome for a moment, but then, grin turns cocky. “Hope you’re ready for a serious ass-kicking, Lil Griz.”

I fix him with a confident stare. “You won’t even know what hit you, Marino.”

He laughs deeply. “I’ll meet you at the airport later with your skates.”

His words make my stomach go fizzy. I’ve been a flight attendant for eight years, but this will only be the second time that I get picked up at the airport after returning from a trip.

The first time was two weeks ago.

Aaron again.

It means more to me than I would have ever imagined.

As Aaron pulls away from the curb and heads towards home, I tilt my chin up at him playfully. “So, let me get this straight, you organized this whole date without asking me. What if I’d said no?”

“Then I would’ve obviously had to assume that you’re such a terrible skater, you’ve deemed yourself unteachable.” His eyes sparkle. “Or I would’ve invited Jing to come with me in your stead.”

“Insufferable as ever, aren’t you?”

“You know you love it, Griswold.”

Excitement flutters through me, and I have to take a moment to regain my composure.

I press a hand to my forehead. I must be getting sick. And am possibly delirious.

For years, Christmas has been, for me, the most hateful time of year, and Aaron Marino, my most hated person. Yet here I am, impossibly excited about the thought of a Christmassy date with him.

32

AARON

“Wait, aren’t we going to the RGM?” Olivia asks as she squints out the passenger window at the turn we’d normally take to get to the arena.

I stop at a red light. “Nope.”

Olivia frowns at the road ahead, and I take a moment to let my eyes roam over her, taking her in.

After she said yes to our date earlier, I drove her home, and she got changed for work while also packing a bag of clothes for this evening. She met me at Arrivals twenty minutes ago wearing black leggings, a soft fleece jacket, and a baby pink beanie hat that complements the pink of her cheeks. Her waves are soft and loose around her face, and I can’t get over how incredible she looks.

She has no idea what Iactuallyhave planned for tonight. I’ll admit I’m nervous about it—it’s more than a little out of her comfort zone.

She finally turns her gaze on me, meeting my eyes. “You’re not going to tell me where we’re going, are you?”

“Also nope.”

“Hmm.” She screws up her nose. “I brought you candy from the airport, but now, I’m thinking I might keep it all for myself.”

“You dare hold the airport candy hostage?”

“I do.”

Olivia raises a brow, challenging me, but I refuse to take the bait, giving her a shrug. “Suit yourself.”

She makes this noise in the back of her throat. Sort of a growl-groan thing that unexpectedly makes my blood heat. “Insufferable man.”

“Impatient woman.”

“Maybe I’m excited,” she counters.

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